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Partner Story
Inês’s own salon
Inês | Mozambique
For a long time, Inês worked in a small shop near a busy railway crossing. The job brought in some income, but little stability and little say over what came next.
She had always been interested in hair and beauty, but without formal training or start-up support, it was difficult to turn that interest into paid work of her own.
“I stopped working for someone else. Opening my own business helped me a lot to become independent. Working for someone else is not an easy thing.”Inês
Learning a new skill
In 2023, Inês received a SERVE-supported scholarship to study Cosmetology and Beauty Culture at Young Africa.
There, she learned hairstyling, make-up application, hygiene, customer care and how to communicate professionally with clients. The training gave her a practical skillset and the confidence to begin building her own business.
After graduating, Inês opened her own salon.
Building a livelihood
From training to a salon of her own
Today, she works for herself, manages her own time and earns an income from the services she provides.
She has a particular interest in preparing clients for weddings, engagement celebrations and graduations.
Building the business
Building the business has taken time. Her neighbourhood has limited commercial activity, and the number of clients is still lower than she would like.
But Inês has continued to look for ways to bring people through the door.
With her clients’ permission, she photographs completed hairstyles and make-up looks and shares them on Facebook and WhatsApp. Word of mouth is also helping more people hear about her salon.
Confidence beyond the salon
Her training also included wellness and sexual and reproductive health education. Inês says this helped her better understand her body, family planning options and her right to make informed decisions about her health.
It also strengthened her confidence and helped her set clearer boundaries in her work.
Looking ahead
Inês is still building her business, one client at a time. Her income has not yet reached the level she hopes for, but she is no longer depending on someone else to decide her hours, her earnings or her next step.
Building Futures Through Opportunity
Inês’s story is part of the bigger picture of the Skills for Youth Resilience Programme. People do far more with a skill when they also have the confidence and the knowledge to use it.
SERVE and Young Africa Mozambique work together so people can learn skills that earn a living, support their families and build steadier futures.
It is development that works because it is practical, local and led by the people it is for.
How You Can Help
Learn more about SERVE’s Skills for Youth Resilience Programme.
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